The CMSD program currently offers a Ph.D. program in Communication Sciences & Disorder. The Ph.D. program generally consists of a minimum of two years of academic coursework plus a third year of research culminating in the dissertation. Although each student’s course of study is individualized to accommodate previous experiences and individualized interests, all doctoral students are expected to complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of advanced statistics courses, 6 semester hours of computer science courses, and 30 semester hours of coursework in the student’s content area. Because of the wide variety of interests in the human communication sciences and disorders fields, the content courses are determined individually by the agreement of the student and student’s five member faculty advisory committee. Students complete an internship in college teaching as part of the program of study; additional internship programs can be configured for students with other interests, such as anatomy, specialized medical center practice, or administration.
Admission Requirements for Ph.D.
Admission to the Ph.D. program requires a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology, a GRE score of 1000/300 or higher (combined verbal and quantitative scores), a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, all prior college transcripts, a personal letter stating professional aspirations and career plans, and three letters of recommendation. At the discretion of the admissions committee, a personal interview may also be required. All application materials must be received by January 3rd for first consideration for fall semester admission.
Communication Sciences and Disorders Doctoral Program
I. Introduction
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the highest degree offered at the University of Georgia. The doctoral program in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CMSD) adheres to the requirements set forth by the Graduate School in the Graduate Bulletin and is designed to support doctoral education in speech and hearing science and speech and language pathology. Because it is designed to prepare students for a career in teaching and research, the program challenges qualified students with a rigorous academic and research-oriented curriculum of coursework, seminars and research experiences. Applicants with strong evidence of interest in a specific area that is consonant with an area of expertise of a faculty member in CMSD are given highest consideration. Therefore, it is required that students applying to the program be familiar with the relevant scholarly work of the faculty, and that they have considered carefully how their own interests and objectives would mesh with or enhance the research conducted in the Department’s laboratories and clinical facilities. Highly motivated students who have a strong interest in academic or clinical research, teaching, or service are encouraged to apply.
II. Doctoral Program Requirements
A. Pre-application: Because doctoral study is by nature specialized and requires close interactions with a mentor(s) with relevant experience and interests, the CMSD Department Ph.D. program requires that prospective students consult with Department faculty regarding their goals and interests with respect to doctoral study. A student should receive written assurance from at least one faculty member who will serve as the student’s sponsor/temporary advisor upon admission. Because of the importance of the sponsor to the admission process, a personal interview is recommended. Such an interview can be conducted at UGA or at some other site (e.g., a conference or convention for the convenience of the faculty member or the applicant). A telephone interview is also an option when a personal interview cannot be arranged. No doctoral applicants will be considered without the written consent of a sponsor from the CMSD faculty.
B. Application: The prospective applicant should complete all application materials and fulfill all requirements as specified in the Graduate School Bulletin and the Graduate School Application. A separate Departmental application must be completed. It includes an opportunity to describe past experiences related to research (thesis, publications, presentations) and requires a statement of professional interests and specific academic and research goals. See http://www.grad.uga.edu for Graduate School application materials.
C. Admission: An applicant may be admitted as a prospective candidate for the Ph.D. program upon recommendation of the Departmental admissions committee and approval of the Graduate School. The admission committee’s recommendations will be based on a completed Graduate School application and CMSD departmental application, academic grade point average, Graduate Record Examination scores, three letters of professional recommendation, a personal interview and a letter from a CMSD faculty member agreeing to sponsor the student. The CMSD faculty sponsor must meet all requirements for serving as major professor according to Graduate School policy. Matriculation procedures will originate with and follow the University of Georgia’s guidelines.
D. Advisory Committee: The CMSD faculty sponsor is the student’s major professor when the student enrolls. Before the end of the student’s first semester of residence as a doctoral student, an advisory committee is formed and appointed. The committee will consist of the major professor, as chair, and four additional faculty members. The advisory committee, in consultation with the student, is charged with planning the student’s preliminary program of study.
E. Preliminary Program of Study: The preliminary program of study must be planned by the student, major professor and advisory committee, and be approved by a majority of the advisory committee. It is expected that a doctoral program will cover from three to five calendar years, including coursework and dissertation. In addition to the 18 semester hour minimum in “Research Skills Requirement,” an additional 27-36 semester hours of consecutive coursework will be required in content areas while in residence.
F. Research Skills Requirement. The Research skills requirement includes at least 18 semester hours of coursework in statistics and computer programming. This requirement will usually be satisfied as follows:
1. ERSH 6300, ERSH 8310, ERSH 8320 and ERSH 8350, or another multi-course sequence in statistics that includes multivariate techniques.
2. A two course sequence in computers and computer programming selected by the student in consultation with the major professor and faculty committee.
G. Major Requirements.
1. At least 27 semester hours of coursework in content areas relevant to the student’s area of interest.
2. At least 3 semester hours of CMSD 9300, Doctoral Dissertation.
H. Degree Requirements.
1. Completion of an independent research project, presentation of that project in a departmental seminar, and preparation of that project for national or international presentation and publication, before advancing to candidacy for the Ph.D.
2. Internship in college teaching, under the supervision of the major professor.
3. Satisfactory completion of oral and written exams to advance to Ph.D. candidacy.
4. Satisfactory completion and oral defense of a dissertation.
5. Satisfaction of all other requirements for the Ph.D., specified by the Graduate School, the College of Education or the department.
Total Hours Required for this Major: 48